WHARE-KURA. 
175 
been in existence at a place called Reporoa, before they 
left Hawaiki ; its extreme antiquity is seen from the cir- 
cumstance of all those who are recorded as having met 
there, being regarded as ancient gods ; the temple had 
a porch or verandah, such as they still make to their 
houses, this was placed at the gable end, by which they en- 
tered, and at the other extremity was a small building in 
which the high priest resided. The Whare-kura and the 
Tuahus were enclosed by a fence, beyond it were the abodes 
of seventy other priests who had their houses ranged around. 
These were called the Tauira, and their abodes were also 
enclosed by a fence, being considered a sacred court, each 
building bearing the name of one of the heavens ; the posts 
which supported the building were carved to represent their 
chief ancestors. 
The different tribes which met there, were ranged in two 
grand divisions, one Kahui or party being on one side of the 
building, and the other on the other ; one company possessed 
a staff, called Te Toko-toko o Turoa, whose owner was Ran- 
gitawaki, the other side also had a staff, named Tongi-tongi, 
which belonged to Mai-i-rangi, perhaps these individuals 
were the chiefs who marshalled their respective companies. 
In the Whare-kura, no food was allowed to be eaten, and 
the breach of this law was punished with death, from this, 
perhaps, arose the custom of cooking in a separate build- 
ing, or kauta, and eating outside their houses ; in fact, 
the chieffs house, in some respects, seems to preserve a re- 
membrance of the Ware-kura, and to be a kind of temple, 
having its household god and altar, represented by the 
carved post which supports the building^ and the hearth on 
which the fire burns before the image of the great progenitor 
of the family. 
The tribes which assembled in this ancient building are 
enumerated : 
1. Kauika and his chiefs, Kauika-nui, Kauika-roa, Kaui- 
ka-papa, Kauika- wakaroa-korero. 
2. Te Kahui-wata and. his chiefs, Watanui, Wata-roa, 
Wata-korero, Wata-atua. 
